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FNPW NED & Chair Recruitment

Board Direction, on behalf of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (FNPW) is recruiting up to three (3) new NEDs including a new Chair.

About the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife and the roles.

FNWP is the Charity Partner of Australia’s national parks and wildlife…a non-government organisation with a mission to safeguard our wilderness and wildlife for future generations.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with a 54-year track record of growing National Parks, protecting precious biodiversity and saving species from extinction.

FNPW safeguards Australia’s most precious natural assets, creating thriving habitats and setting a global benchmark for conservation excellence. Through transformative partnerships and funding, they expand protected areas, save endangered species, and empower First Nations communities to lead in the care of country. They aim to be Australia’s best environmental partner, working on the highest-priority projects. They create an environment for nature to thrive.

For more information about the Mission and Strategy, see: https://fnpw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Partnering-For-Impact-FNPW-Strategic-Plan-2025-2028.pdf 

For more information about FNPW, visit: https://fnpw.org.au/about-us/ 


Candidate Expectations

Experience & Expertise of FNPW Board Candidates in General
 
  • Experience as a respected senior business or community leader, with an ability to communicate and influence across the Board, Committees, and Foundation executives.
  • Senior executive and/or governance professional with extensive domain experience and ability.
  • Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen to ensure the assimilation of all of the information distributed to the Board and the ability to make a meaningful contribution to the business.
 
Culture Fit & Personal Impact at Board Level in General
 
  • A mature professional possessing judgement, a disciplined approach, strong professional standards and a high level of personal credibility and integrity.
  • Well-developed commercial perspectives and general business experience to be resilient and focused when required.
  • Excellent people and communication skills combined with an ability to persuade others to achieve common objectives that create and build businesses.
  • Possesses a clear sense of responsibility and an understanding of stakeholder sensitivities, with the gravitas to manage these relationships effectively.
  • The ability to reconcile opposing views to reach mutually satisfying consensus decisions.
  • Employs a consultative management style with an ability and willingness to challenge and probe in the context of Board collegiality and constructive debate.
  • While the person will be capable of being flexible and open to other points of view, he or she will also tend to back their own judgment and be prepared to take an appropriate stand where circumstances require it in the interests of good corporate governance.
  • Unquestionable business ethics and an adherence to superior moral and ethical standards as demonstrated by integrity in previous non-executive director roles or executive positions.
  • Willing and able to commit to and honour the expectations of the role, in the face of competing priorities.


Position Descriptions

An experienced Board of Directors governs the organisation. Sub-committees (Finance and Risk, Fundraising & Marketing, and Projects) support the work of the Board. Board members are expected to serve on at least one sub-committee, and a Board member must chair committees. Volunteers with domain-specific skills also serve on sub-committees. A volunteer Advisory Council meets twice a year to offer support to the Chair and CEO.
 
Due to the recent and expected retirement of existing board members, up to three (3) new NEDs are sought – one of which will be the new Board Chair.
 
Role 1: Board Chair, Non-Executive Director and President of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
  • Deep NED and governance experience – ideally as a Chair of a NfP organisation.
  • Strong financial acumen and risk management skills.
  • Experience overseeing the implementation of organisational strategy.
  • Respect for indigenous communities, the role they play in land management and a genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, National Parks and wildlife.
  • Suitable professional qualifications and preferably a governance qualification.
  • NSW is strongly preferred, as in-person board meetings take place in Sydney, as do AGMs, sub-committee meetings and the annual offsite. Additionally, the FNPW CEO’s office is located in the Sydney CBD.
 
This person should be willing and able to formally assume the role of Chair of FNPW when the current Chair steps down in mid-May 2026. They should also be willing and able to act as Chair of at least one sub-committee.
 

Role 2: Non-Executive Director and Treasurer, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife and Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee

  • Senior financial experience, including comprehensive experience of annual budgeting and audit processes, and suitable financial qualifications.
  • Prior governance or board-level experience and (ideally) a governance qualification.
  • The ability to Chair Sub-Committee meetings in a positive, respectful and inclusive manner.
  • Ideally, strong risk management skills and experience of project governance and/or knowledge related to service delivery contracts and multi-party contracts.
  • Respect for indigenous communities, the role they play in land management and a genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, National Parks and wildlife.
 
This person should be willing and able to become the next Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee/ Treasurer when the current Chair steps down.
 
Role 3: Non-Executive Director, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. (In addition: Director and member of a Board Sub-Committee)
  • Prior governance and NED experience gained in Charity or NfP organisations and (ideally) a governance qualification.
  • Commercial acumen gained from senior executive or board-level experience.
  • Ideally, knowledge or experience related to service delivery contracts or working in an environmental context.
  • Respect for indigenous communities, the role they play in land management and a genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, National Parks and wildlife.


This person should be willing and able to serve as the next Chair of the Projects Committee if the role is not filled internally.


Location & Remuneration & Timings

Board Meetings: The Board meets six times a year on a hybrid basis, with the majority of attendees being based in Sydney, where FNPW has its management office. Sub-Committees meet 4-6 times a year.

Candidate Location: Applications will be seriously considered from all Australian-based candidates. However, NSW is preferred as in-person board meetings take place in Sydney, as do AGMs, sub-committee meetings and the annual offsite. Additionally, the FNPW CEO’s office is located in the Sydney CBD.

Remuneration: This is a voluntary role; however, all expenses will be covered where appropriate.

Timings: (as a guide)

  • Applications open: Friday, 10th October 2025.
  • Applications close: 5pm Monday, 27th October 2025 (late applications may be accepted).
  • Applications reviewed ~w/c 27th October.
  • Candidates selected for preliminary interviews contacted ~wc 3rd November 2025.
  • Long-listed Chair and NED interviews will be conducted ~ wc 17th November.
  • Successful final panel candidates invited for interview ~wc 24th November.
  • Final Panel Chair candidates interviewed wc 1st December.
  • Final Panel NED candidates interviewed wc 15th December.
  • Successful candidates notified ~wc 15th December.
  • Feedback will be offered to all candidates prior to Christmas 2025.


TO APPLY

Please complete the form below. You will be required to attach your NED CV.

FNPW NED & Chair Application Form

To prevent disappointment should something go wrong, and for future reference, we STRONGLY recommend that you save your responses in a Word document prior to submitting your application.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Address(Required)


1) Governance

Prior governance and NED experience is essential if you are applying for the Chair role. However, for the NED roles, having been a Non-Executive Director (NED) is not a prerequisite, but board level experience is. Governance qualifications are also highly desirable.
Governance Qualification(Required)
Have you completed a governance qualification? (REQUIRED)
Chair Role(Required)
Are you intending to apply for the Chair role? (REQUIRED)
Please evidence your governance experience and/or qualifications. (REQUIRED) (1,500 character limit)

2) Skills & Experience

We are seeking to appoint 3 x NEDs (one of which will be the Chair). Please address only the criteria for the role you are intending to apply for.
Which role are you applying for?(Required)
Please select the box for the particular role you are applying for. 1. Chair & NED - Deep NED and governance experience - ideally as a Chair of a NfP organisation. - Strong financial acumen and risk management skills. - Experience overseeing the implementation of organisational strategy. - Respect for indigenous communities, the role they play in land management and a genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, National Parks and wildlife. - Suitable professional qualifications and preferably a governance qualification. 2. NED & Treasurer - - Senior financial experience including comprehensive experience of annual budgeting and audit processes and suitable financial qualifications. - Prior governance or board level experience and (ideally) a governance qualification. - The ability to Chair Sub-Committee meetings in a positive, respectful and inclusive manner. - Ideally, strong risk management skills and experience of project governance and/or knowledge related to service delivery contracts and multi-party contracts. 3. NED - Prior governance and NED experience gained in Charity or NfP organisations and (ideally) a governance qualification. - Commercial acumen gained from senior executive or board level experience. - Ideally knowledge or experience related to service delivery contracts or working in an environmental context.
Please evidence how your skills and experience meet each of the selection criteria listed for (REQUIRED) (1,500 character limit)

3) Passion & Fit

Candidates are required to demonstrate a proven and genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, Parks and wildlife.
Please demonstrate your respect for indigenous communities, the role they play in land management and a genuine passion for and concern for Australia’s biodiversity, National Parks and wildlife. (REQUIRED) (1,500 character limit)

4) Supporting Information

Please provide any additional information that might support your ability to contribute. (1,500 character limit)

Final Information

Please upload your current board CV/Resume to support your application. (REQUIRED)
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, Max. file size: 100 MB.